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Never Do a Wrong Thing
Coming out is hard enough on its own, but if you have a crush on your best buddy, things get really complicated.Best friends since kindergarten, best friends forever. That was the plan. High school sophomores Tim and Tom know everything there is to know about each other … or at least they should, but Tim has a secret that could change everything he doesn’t want to see changed.Tim is gay and almost ready to be out and proud. Tom is already proud—a proud homophobe, that is. As if the stakes were not high enough already, things get even more complicated when Tom talks his friend into double-dating a pair of girls. But sometimes unwanted challenges offer unexpected opportunities, and after the most embarrassing night of his life, Tim knows he can no longer avoid the inevitable. The question is, how will his best friend take it?From the author of Cupid Painted Blind comes a captivating new Young Adult LGBTQ novel that provides insight into the conflicted soul of a teenage boy who finds himself torn between honesty and friendship.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2018
138 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Herzig
12 books55 followersMarcus Herzig, future bestselling author and professional sarcast, was born in 1970 and studied Law, English, Educational Science, and Physics, albeit none of them with any tenacity or ambition. After dropping out of university he held various positions in banking, utilities, and Big Oil that bore no responsibility or decision-making power whatsoever.
Always destined to be a demiurge, he has been inventing characters and telling stories since the age of five, and it’s what he wants to do for the rest of his life. His favorite genre, both as a reader and a writer, is Young Adult literature, but he also very much enjoys science- and literary fiction.
Always destined to be a demiurge, he has been inventing characters and telling stories since the age of five, and it’s what he wants to do for the rest of his life. His favorite genre, both as a reader and a writer, is Young Adult literature, but he also very much enjoys science- and literary fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 26, 2019
Another strong true-to-life entry from author Marcus Herzig.
This is an honest and passionate version of the ‘coming out ‘ experience that every gay teenager must deal with at some point. To different degrees each must unfortunately face the fear, embarrassment, shame, ignorance and hatred that accompanies the coming out process. For some it is easy, for some not so much. What is required for everyone is finding the courage.
One of the biggest fears, the main focus of this story, is about the reaction from your friends when they find out you’re gay. The platitude that ‘If they don’t accept you now they were never a real friend to begin with’ doesn’t make it much easier.
The story has a happy ending. Just not the one I expected. But I’m not at all disappointed. Marcus didn’t cop out with the expected cliched ending. He stayed true to his characters until the end.
This is an honest and passionate version of the ‘coming out ‘ experience that every gay teenager must deal with at some point. To different degrees each must unfortunately face the fear, embarrassment, shame, ignorance and hatred that accompanies the coming out process. For some it is easy, for some not so much. What is required for everyone is finding the courage.
One of the biggest fears, the main focus of this story, is about the reaction from your friends when they find out you’re gay. The platitude that ‘If they don’t accept you now they were never a real friend to begin with’ doesn’t make it much easier.
The story has a happy ending. Just not the one I expected. But I’m not at all disappointed. Marcus didn’t cop out with the expected cliched ending. He stayed true to his characters until the end.
July 23, 2020
To be honest, I was absolutely not a fan of this book. The writing itself wasn't the worst... other than the fact that this sixteen-year-old talks like he's in a professional setting as an adult - which really makes the dialogue flow unnatural - like it already kind of was. I also felt like a lot of the gay characters were straight-up (no pun intended) stereotypes. You were either the angry homophobic but secretly gay type of gay or you were the super flamboyant type of gay. I mean, even the main character said another character wasn't "gay looking". Obviously some gay people are like this, but I just felt like a lot of the characters were stereotyped and had so much more potential. There was also a lot of dramatics in the whole book, characters jumping from zero to nothing in their emotions and actions without any buildup of thought.
However, on some level I was able to enjoy and connect with the characters, specifically at the end, purely between Tim & Tom's broken relationship. While I feel like the other characters made it feel a little weird, the feelings between Tim & Tom weren't. It was easy to understand how disconnected the two were and how that affected both of them and their behavior. I also thought the way that the book was narrated by Tim to Tom, often referring to Tom as "you" was interesting and not very often executed, but done so well in this case, as it really personalized the feelings between the two.
Overall, 2/5 Stars - There were some decent bits, but I feel like the book had SO much more potential than what was executed.
However, on some level I was able to enjoy and connect with the characters, specifically at the end, purely between Tim & Tom's broken relationship. While I feel like the other characters made it feel a little weird, the feelings between Tim & Tom weren't. It was easy to understand how disconnected the two were and how that affected both of them and their behavior. I also thought the way that the book was narrated by Tim to Tom, often referring to Tom as "you" was interesting and not very often executed, but done so well in this case, as it really personalized the feelings between the two.
Overall, 2/5 Stars - There were some decent bits, but I feel like the book had SO much more potential than what was executed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
What a wonderful book! I read this book in one two hour sitting. I could barely read it fast enough. A beautiful story that will make you sigh and aw, but at the same time it does not come off as fanciful or make believe. It is a book about a young man who has to figure out who his family is. As a gay man myself, I know this struggle. Are your best friends still your friends if they cannot accept you for who you are? Without falling into many of the pitfalls that occur in most LGBT YA romances, this book shows the power of the family we choose. That yes, there are people who are bigots and there is nothing that you can do to change that. The only course of action is to plow forward and live your life. Marcus Herzig paints a beautiful story of a young man coming to terms with not only who he is but what his life will be? I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an easy read that will make you not only fall for the characters in the book, but make you grateful and enjoy the families we create with other people, whether LGBT or ally.
October 27, 2019
A sweet lovely story about high school and unrequited love and heartbreak and finding friends. Absolutely delicious.
April 5, 2019
I wish this had gone the way fiction novels like this usually go. I'm glad Tim is happy but man, did I want Tom to eat crow and realise how important Tim was to him. Except it turns out Tim wasn't important to him at all.
eta: oh the book had a lot of typos so I struck off a star (sorry Mr Author) because that stopped me from enjoying the story fully.
eta: oh the book had a lot of typos so I struck off a star (sorry Mr Author) because that stopped me from enjoying the story fully.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2022
emerging from the shadow
Falling in love with your straight best friend, then discovering what bonds the friendship. Do you tell them your secret? Wouldn’t they already know? Marcus does a great job planting us deep inside Tim’s head. Watching a beautiful unicorn find its family. 4.0 for milkshakes.
Falling in love with your straight best friend, then discovering what bonds the friendship. Do you tell them your secret? Wouldn’t they already know? Marcus does a great job planting us deep inside Tim’s head. Watching a beautiful unicorn find its family. 4.0 for milkshakes.
January 7, 2020
This book encapsulates my own memories of my teenage years that feature in Queer Me!: Halfway Between Flying and Crying. The emotions, the fears, the need, they are all there. Marcus Herzig and I express them differently, but the longing, oh the longing...
It was as if I was that Tim and his Tom were my John. And it brought real tears to my eyes as I read of the total love love and the absolute pain of love.
Reviewing this book is very hard without spoilers, and I won't give any. What I can say is that the quality of the writing and the characterisation made it almost timeless and placeless. I recognise the world from the UK, a very different geography from that inhabited by the cast.
I hope references in throwaway lines to current matters won't date it, but I doubt they will. This is a truly excellent tale, worthy of your attention and time.
It was as if I was that Tim and his Tom were my John. And it brought real tears to my eyes as I read of the total love love and the absolute pain of love.
Reviewing this book is very hard without spoilers, and I won't give any. What I can say is that the quality of the writing and the characterisation made it almost timeless and placeless. I recognise the world from the UK, a very different geography from that inhabited by the cast.
I hope references in throwaway lines to current matters won't date it, but I doubt they will. This is a truly excellent tale, worthy of your attention and time.
March 1, 2019
BORING
CONSTANTLY GOING OVER IN HIS MIND HOW HE CAN NEVER COME OUT TO HIS “BFF” GETS TO BE RATHER TEDIOUS AFTER A WHILE.
CONSTANTLY GOING OVER IN HIS MIND HOW HE CAN NEVER COME OUT TO HIS “BFF” GETS TO BE RATHER TEDIOUS AFTER A WHILE.
November 25, 2019
I cannot agree with the negative remarks from other readers. How many gay youngsters with a crush on their straight best friend are going to get a happy ever after with them? Particularly if said 'friend' is a homophobic idiot??
The sad thing about the book is that Tom is never going to change. He’s the product of his environment - there’s a nod to the way his father has brought him up with the bbq and the apron. He’s clearly taken on the same misogynistic views as his father and is sadly not intelligent enough to see that Tim is still Tim regardless of his sexuality.
I loved the way Tim found new friends - people that wanted to be with him for the person that he was and appreciated and actually saw him. I loved the book and I felt that it ended the way it should. Sometimes your best friends from your youth remain friends for life and sometimes they don’t - and sometimes they were never friends at all but you were blinded by their shiny brightness and mistook their attention for something it wasn’t. Tom loved being adored by Tim until he realised that Tim was gay and then he felt threatened by it. Life isn’t always hearts and flowers and . Beautifully crafted story. I loved it.
The sad thing about the book is that Tom is never going to change. He’s the product of his environment - there’s a nod to the way his father has brought him up with the bbq and the apron. He’s clearly taken on the same misogynistic views as his father and is sadly not intelligent enough to see that Tim is still Tim regardless of his sexuality.
I loved the way Tim found new friends - people that wanted to be with him for the person that he was and appreciated and actually saw him. I loved the book and I felt that it ended the way it should. Sometimes your best friends from your youth remain friends for life and sometimes they don’t - and sometimes they were never friends at all but you were blinded by their shiny brightness and mistook their attention for something it wasn’t. Tom loved being adored by Tim until he realised that Tim was gay and then he felt threatened by it. Life isn’t always hearts and flowers and . Beautifully crafted story. I loved it.
January 24, 2019
As a gay guy that fell deeply in love with his straight best friend, it wasn't hard at all to fall into this story. It also didn't hurt that the characters and their story were all very well written. This novel could have easily fallen into predictability and it really didn't. This lent it an air of realness that is often lacking in Young Adult fiction. Aside from some typos and several instances where the narrative switched from past tense to present tense, this was a very well-written, thoughtful novel about friendship and love. It was told in a unique way, which I think gave it even more power in its ability to draw the reader in.
January 4, 2019
Tim, a sophomore in high school, has been best friends with Tom since they were four years old. One day, Tom and Tim go to the movies and start talking with two girls, Maia and Inka. Eventually, Tom and Maia become romantically involved, and Tim becomes jealous. This strain in Tim and Tom's relationship causes the majority of the conflict in the book.
Marcus Herzig is such an excellent writer. His words were so incredibly beautiful. I felt completely immersed in his writing throughout the entirety of the book. Herzig can keep the reader engaged using his flowing, dynamic paragraphs that add so much dimension to the novel.
With that said, I consistently felt that there was no way Tim was a sophomore in high school. His vocabulary was impeccable, and he used so many words that are way out of the realm for a 16-year-old boy. His vocabulary felt more like a 22-year-old English major's. Although Tim's actions reflected a 16-year-old, that was about it. I felt that Herzig added weird pop culture references that seemed unnatural in the context of the story to make Tim seem like a 16-year-old. For example, he referenced new Netflix shows and popular dance moves like flossing at awkward times that did not add to the plot or make much sense.
Additionally, I felt that Tim and Tom's relationship was not very genuine. I understand the premise of this book is the slow demise of their friendship; I couldn't help but feel they were hardly friends in the first place. Their relationship always felt forced and unnatural.
Overall, this was a good book, and I felt connected to the characters and events in the book. Marcus Herzig's writing is stunning, and it kept me engaged in the book. He told a beautiful story that tugged at my heartstrings, and I appreciated his strong, powerful words. This book showed a solid and emotional story, and I would recommend it!
3.5/5
Marcus Herzig is such an excellent writer. His words were so incredibly beautiful. I felt completely immersed in his writing throughout the entirety of the book. Herzig can keep the reader engaged using his flowing, dynamic paragraphs that add so much dimension to the novel.
With that said, I consistently felt that there was no way Tim was a sophomore in high school. His vocabulary was impeccable, and he used so many words that are way out of the realm for a 16-year-old boy. His vocabulary felt more like a 22-year-old English major's. Although Tim's actions reflected a 16-year-old, that was about it. I felt that Herzig added weird pop culture references that seemed unnatural in the context of the story to make Tim seem like a 16-year-old. For example, he referenced new Netflix shows and popular dance moves like flossing at awkward times that did not add to the plot or make much sense.
Additionally, I felt that Tim and Tom's relationship was not very genuine. I understand the premise of this book is the slow demise of their friendship; I couldn't help but feel they were hardly friends in the first place. Their relationship always felt forced and unnatural.
Overall, this was a good book, and I felt connected to the characters and events in the book. Marcus Herzig's writing is stunning, and it kept me engaged in the book. He told a beautiful story that tugged at my heartstrings, and I appreciated his strong, powerful words. This book showed a solid and emotional story, and I would recommend it!
3.5/5
February 18, 2019
Herzig’s book takes the familiar trope of falling for your gay best friend and turns it on its head. I loved the supportive group of friends Tim finds, and loved his parents. The book is mostly written in what could be an awkward second-person, but it works. The outcome may have been even more affecting if the reader was given fewer red flags as the history of Tom’s behavior and actions are described. But we can remind ourselves that the opening paragraph already sets up “going awry.” We keep reading to see how things are resolved. All in all, this is a valuable addition to YA coming out stories.
July 5, 2019
I’ve come across this book many times during my search of “what to read next” and I never put it on my TBR as well. Today, I decided to read this book and I can’t believe I never picked this book up earlier! I couldn’t read it fast enough but it was like I didn’t want it to end. I wished it was a bit longer but I loved how real the story was. I’ve read so many enemy to lovers, best friends to lovers but I’ve never read a story quite like this (I’m sure there are some out there and would love some suggestions).
I was hoping that Tom would change his ways, take his best friend for who he is. But not everyone is like that. Some friendships were never meant to last and maybe it’s a good thing, Tim found unlikely friendships if he never came or to Tom he would have never met them. And he would have been miserable. Everything happens for a reason and yes Tim lost a friendship that he wanted to keep but Tom didn’t try after he found out. He was never a true friend.
I was hoping that Tom would change his ways, take his best friend for who he is. But not everyone is like that. Some friendships were never meant to last and maybe it’s a good thing, Tim found unlikely friendships if he never came or to Tom he would have never met them. And he would have been miserable. Everything happens for a reason and yes Tim lost a friendship that he wanted to keep but Tom didn’t try after he found out. He was never a true friend.
December 21, 2018
A well-told story. There are a number of typos that take a bit away from the tale, but in all, I enjoyed the book. As a writer of gay fiction, I always appreciate a good story when I read one. I write under the pseudonym of Cameron DeCessna and have released several of my books with Amazon/Kindle. Give them a try, especially Clay Parker: Growing Up Gay in 1953. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...
October 26, 2018
Excellent. One of the best books i've read this year. The only reason that i'm knocked off a star is that the second half is riddled with typos. I do recommend this book to anyone who likes a gay coming-of-age tale.
November 27, 2018
Just wow!!!
Not at all what I expected but a seriously good piece of work! Different but not disappointing outcome. I actually had to survey my emotions at the end to decide it was ok for the story to resolve the conflict in that fashion.....it was.
Not at all what I expected but a seriously good piece of work! Different but not disappointing outcome. I actually had to survey my emotions at the end to decide it was ok for the story to resolve the conflict in that fashion.....it was.
November 30, 2018
Three and a half stars
It was a beautiful and easy read, I didn't like Tom but what can you do there are different points of view. I love how Tim understood at the end what a true friendship means.
It was a beautiful and easy read, I didn't like Tom but what can you do there are different points of view. I love how Tim understood at the end what a true friendship means.
August 10, 2019
This wasn’t a bad story, I was pleasantly surprised, but my main issue was with Maia and Tom being together. Why would Maia tolerate being with someone who clearly was homophobic? And if she didn’t mind, why was Inka best friends with her? Glad Tim got a happy ending though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2020
More like a true life article in plot structure with some analysis around internalised fears of being out. O.K. , but reaching the end did leave a feeling of incompleteness, unlike his other story Cupid, which to me seemed more formed.
January 25, 2019
Marcus Herzig is a certified good read.
April 3, 2019
Ein Ende das der Realität wohl sehr nahe kommt.
April 20, 2019
Somewhat ended abruptly with what felt like unresolved storylines. Fun, quick read.
December 11, 2019
A fun read
A great coming of age story. I found myself recalling my own adolescent angst through the characters. Light-hearted and poignant. A wonderful YA read.
A great coming of age story. I found myself recalling my own adolescent angst through the characters. Light-hearted and poignant. A wonderful YA read.
October 8, 2020
Really good
Its great to read a book that doesnt stick to the cliches and that actually shows the other less pretty side of storys
Its great to read a book that doesnt stick to the cliches and that actually shows the other less pretty side of storys
January 9, 2022
Story wasn’t that special and very predictable, but the writing was good and it has a happy ending. At least things get tied up before the book is over unlike all the other books of the author.
January 2, 2023
The premise is solid, the story telling interesting, and the end satisfying.
Read it!
Read it!
March 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this read. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. I hate finishing a good book. For me the outcome wasn't predictable fantasy.
February 10, 2019
3.5 stars
A much better experience than his last book. A good story about coming out and friendship, and how sometimes losing friends can be hard, but it's not the end of the world. Sometimes losing friends can be better off for you.
The characters are all likable this time, except for the obvious character who is supposed to be unlikable (I'm so thankful that the characters I'm supposed to like, are not ones I end up hating). And the author even brought back some characters from his Cupid Painted Blind, and made them more prevalent and enjoyable. Kudos for making Chris and Jack much better developed characters. Milo's always a fun character, but he was much more fun and enjoyable in this book.
But the best part...the drama was handled well. I wonder if Cupid Painted Blind was his first book, because the blend of comedy and drama is much more seamless this time around. And when things get heavy, they stay heavy. They build and build to create legit tension, and they keep tension, allowing readers to simmer in suspense. So much more emotionally charged, and a much better pay off.
I only have two small complaints, which is a huge improvement from the last book.
1. Run on sentences. While not as bad as the Cupid, some were still ridiculous. And there were still some grammar and spelling errors, but a lot less. This is clearly an improved story.
2. More of a personal nitpick, but I really enjoyed Aidan and would have loved to see more of his and Tim's relationship develop. I'm a sucker for a cute romance, and I would have liked a little more. Have it play more into Tim and Tom's tension. I'm just relieved to see the love interest with a personality.
All around, much better read than Cupid Painted Blind. Would come back to this again. It tackles heavy issues, keeps to that issue, and while not resolving it specifically, finds an alternative. In my case, and his, this is the better outcome and ending for Tim.
And a better ending for the readers.
A much better experience than his last book. A good story about coming out and friendship, and how sometimes losing friends can be hard, but it's not the end of the world. Sometimes losing friends can be better off for you.
The characters are all likable this time, except for the obvious character who is supposed to be unlikable (I'm so thankful that the characters I'm supposed to like, are not ones I end up hating). And the author even brought back some characters from his Cupid Painted Blind, and made them more prevalent and enjoyable. Kudos for making Chris and Jack much better developed characters. Milo's always a fun character, but he was much more fun and enjoyable in this book.
But the best part...the drama was handled well. I wonder if Cupid Painted Blind was his first book, because the blend of comedy and drama is much more seamless this time around. And when things get heavy, they stay heavy. They build and build to create legit tension, and they keep tension, allowing readers to simmer in suspense. So much more emotionally charged, and a much better pay off.
I only have two small complaints, which is a huge improvement from the last book.
1. Run on sentences. While not as bad as the Cupid, some were still ridiculous. And there were still some grammar and spelling errors, but a lot less. This is clearly an improved story.
2. More of a personal nitpick, but I really enjoyed Aidan and would have loved to see more of his and Tim's relationship develop. I'm a sucker for a cute romance, and I would have liked a little more. Have it play more into Tim and Tom's tension. I'm just relieved to see the love interest with a personality.
All around, much better read than Cupid Painted Blind. Would come back to this again. It tackles heavy issues, keeps to that issue, and while not resolving it specifically, finds an alternative. In my case, and his, this is the better outcome and ending for Tim.
And a better ending for the readers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews